Help me decide deckover or low pro

[GreatWhitehunter]

They make low profile deck over trailers as well so make sure you look into that. It typically lowers the height 3" or so. The low profile trailers generally limit your width of loads and can be really tough trying to load or unload bulky materials around the fenders.

3" isn't really enough to make it much better imho, I get the open deck vs fenders in the way part. The fenders on this trailer are set pretty far back so I'm not seeing where it'll be a huge issue. I'm sure the low pro deckovers are a pita to remove the wheels as they must be tucked up into the frame. Cam also makes deckovers but I really want to keep it to 96" and Cam only makes 102" deckovers. I really dislike the additional weight for the deckovers as well.

The only real upside I'm seeing it winching something onto the deck. A deckover full tilt will surely win that one hands down. I previously owned a 25' Pj GN deckoever a few years back but I have some space issues at my house and don't have the room for another GN deckover. I'm not too concerned about the way they rate there GVW. I'll have 7k axles and a GVW of 14k so I can't see an issue, truck is 11500 so under the 26k limit and I'm not for profit.

Matt

 

[ovrszd]

I totally understand Matt. You know what works for you better than us.

What do you have for a bed on your truck that makes it weigh 11500?

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

I totally understand Matt. You know what works for you better than us.

What do you have for a bed on your truck that makes it weigh 11500?

Standard pickup bed, gvw of the truck is 11500. DMV cops go by those weight not what you actually weigh.

So this would be the trailer 21' long.


It comes with a alum box and I've added fork pockets 12k jack and blue paint.
I do realize with the angle iron sides I'd need to place dunnage under a pallet to get the forks into the pallet.

This is the PJ I was leaning towards


Matt

 

[downslope]

I totally understand Matt. You know what works for you better than us.

What do you have for a bed on your truck that makes it weigh 11500?

He's not saying the truck weighs 11500, it's just that's the manufacturers GVW rating on the door sticker. In many states the DOT cops just add that to the tag on the trailer and you have to be under 26001 total or else you need the CDL, even if the trailer and truck beds are empty. Here in NY that's the first thing they look at before they even put you on the portable scales.

Edit: Sorry, I didn't see the OP was replying at the same time. Yeah, NY, CT, MA, that's what they go by, the mfr rating and/or the actual scale weight, whatever is higher. I heard Maine may not be as strict.

 

[ovrszd]

Wow. Glad we don't do that here.

I really like the looks of the Cam trailer. Usually tilt low trailers have the axles too far forward like the PJ.

 

[downslope]

...So this would be the trailer 21' long...
View attachment 463622Matt

Does the 21' include the sloped tail?

 

[RedNeckRacin]

3" isn't really enough to make it much better imho, I get the open deck vs fenders in the way part. The fenders on this trailer are set pretty far back so I'm not seeing where it'll be a huge issue. I'm sure the low pro deckovers are a pita to remove the wheels as they must be tucked up into the frame. Cam also makes deckovers but I really want to keep it to 96" and Cam only makes 102" deckovers. I really dislike the additional weight for the deckovers as well.

The only real upside I'm seeing it winching something onto the deck. A deckover full tilt will surely win that one hands down. I previously owned a 25' Pj GN deckoever a few years back but I have some space issues at my house and don't have the room for another GN deckover. I'm not too concerned about the way they rate there GVW. I'll have 7k axles and a GVW of 14k so I can't see an issue, truck is 11500 so under the 26k limit and I'm not for profit.

Matt

3" is a pretty big difference when you are going "over the top" loading. Something you may want to consider with the low pro trailers is getting them into locations. I can raise my deck over beavertail and go into places that fixed tail trailers would have to regrade to even think about attempting. That's why I always laugh at the Kauffman and Appalachian trailers that have "pop up tails" to get their flat decks. We have hay fields that would be impossible to get into without raising the tail on my trailer. Put another way, if you have a driveway with a steep approach, you will be missing any paint on the tail of the trailer.

I gave up on dealing with that 26k crap a long time ago. I got my class A cdl and don't worry about 1klbs making or breaking me.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Does the 21' include the sloped tail?

Yes the tail is included in the 21' length.

3" is a pretty big difference when you are going "over the top" loading. Something you may want to consider with the low pro trailers is getting them into locations. I can raise my deck over beavertail and go into places that fixed tail trailers would have to regrade to even think about attempting. That's why I always laugh at the Kauffman and Appalachian trailers that have "pop up tails" to get their flat decks. We have hay fields that would be impossible to get into without raising the tail on my trailer. Put another way, if you have a driveway with a steep approach, you will be missing any paint on the tail of the trailer.

I gave up on dealing with that 26k crap a long time ago. I got my class A cdl and don't worry about 1klbs making or breaking me.

I don't do any offroading with my trailer'sut the low deck height is a valid point. I have seen the adjustable beaver tail Mortiz offers and it's pretty slick, unfortunately there's no dealers in my area. I was interested in looking at Cornpro but the closest dealer only stocks the horse trailers. Bwise is another manufacture I was looking hard at but they PC their trailers and 102" for deckovers it what they offer. I've thought about the getting the CDL but that opens another can o worms with insurance, reg ,med exams. I very rarely do work for hire and even then it's a friend or acquaintance.

Matt

 

[farmer2009]

Have you checked into a "drive over fender"? They move the deck height up between the two trailers you're looking at. This way if you have something a little wide you don't have to worry about it fitting between them.

 

[The Fred]

Fred, how has that Sure-trac held up? Concerns/problems? They seem like one of the better "budget" brands available arrond here.

It's been great. I wouldn't call it a budget brand coming in at $9200 for a hydraulic tilt 17K deckover bumper pull. It has upgraded Oak decking and dual landing gear etc.

My other issue is that EVERY component besides the actual frame itself is Chinese right down to the brakes, tires, axles, landing gear.

Fred ....sorry to jack the thread